2B Trilogy, #2
by Ann Aguirre
Released:
Sept. 30th, 2014
Publisher:
Harlequin HQN
Source:
Publisher
Synopsis:
Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. There are the justifications she gives to everyone else—missing her family, losing her college scholarship. And then there’s the reason Lauren can’t admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend’s older brother.
Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He can’t pinpoint exactly what’s missing until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. But he’s the guy that women love and leave—not the one who makes them think of forever.
Though she’s terrified of opening up, Lauren’s ready to take that chance. Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.
Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He can’t pinpoint exactly what’s missing until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. But he’s the guy that women love and leave—not the one who makes them think of forever.
Though she’s terrified of opening up, Lauren’s ready to take that chance. Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.
Purchase At:
Amazon | B&N | BAM | Indiebound | iTunes
Book Depository | Powell’s | Kobo
My Thoughts:
In As Long As You Love Me, by Anne Aguirre, we get Lauren and Rob's story. In the first story of the series, I Want It That Way, we learned that Lauren had a huge crush when she was growing up, on her best friend, Nadia's brother, Rob. However, in this sequel, we learn that Lauren never stopped liking Rob. After Lauren realizes that she is miserable at college, and is homesick, she returns to her small hometown of Sharon, Nebraska. She is happy to be back living with her mom, and when she runs in to Rob at the local safeway, she is excited to see him. Pretty soon, Lauren and Rob are spending a lot of time together, and a strong friendship, as well as feelings for more, start to grow between them.
Rob is gorgeous. So gorgeous in fact, that no one has ever taken him seriously. Women use him for his good looks and body, and his own family treats him as if he lacks intelligence. Rob has a very low self-esteem, and Lauren helps him realize that he is special for more than just his good looks. She feels badly because she too, had a crush on Rob, but never really knew him. As she gets to know the person that he is inside, she realizes that he is caring, sweet, sensitive, and a very talented carpenter. Rob is always there for Lauren whenever she needs a friend, helps her through her social anxiety panic attacks, and makes her feel special. Pretty soon, these two begin to fall madly in love with one another. However, when Rob is offered a huge career opportunity, Lauren realizes that to be with him, would be to hold him back from his dreams. Can Rob have Lauren and his dream job too, and can Lauren overcome her fears and hang-ups in time, or will she lose Rob forever?
I really enjoyed As Long As You Love Me. I loved what a vulnerable and sensitive character Rob was. To the world, he portrayed a series person, who didn't have much emotion. When he started spending time with Lauren, for the first time, he could be himself. He was more carefree, fun, and confident. He was comfortable sharing his feelings with her, and was treated as more than just a piece of meat. He sure was one very sexy carpenter! For me, the sexiest thing about Rob was the fact that he had such a heart of gold. He put everyone before himself, and was such an amazing character. Lauren, put on a facade for her friends and mother. She acted like an outgoing party girl, while deep down her social anxiety was so bad, that she had to get drunk to be in large social settings. She had given herself a huge makeover in high school, but when it came down to it, she was a down-to-earth computer nerd. I was rooting for Lauren and Rob. They were perfect for one another and gave each other what they desperately needed; an unconditional place of acceptance, belonging, and love. It's a beautiful thing when you don't have to put on an act, and a person loves you truly and deeply, for the person that you are. This message was conveyed perfectly in Lauren and Rob's story!
I give, As Long As You Love Me, by Ann Aguirre, 4 Intense Anticipation, Tender, Endless Love Filled Stars! I can't wait to read the final book in the trilogy, The Shape Of My Heart, which is Max (Lauren's former room mate) and Courtney's story!
"People made the mistake of thinking he didn't feel much, but it wasn't that way at all. Everything was just hidden like a deep, deep well, and then sealed shut with an iron lid. Wistfully, I wondered what it would be like if he let me in." (eARC, Loc. 715) ~Lauren
"Without replying, he wrapped his arms around me and settled me against his chest. I had never been a big snuggler, but maybe the wrong guys had been holding me." (eARC, Loc. 1299) ~Lauren
Rob is gorgeous. So gorgeous in fact, that no one has ever taken him seriously. Women use him for his good looks and body, and his own family treats him as if he lacks intelligence. Rob has a very low self-esteem, and Lauren helps him realize that he is special for more than just his good looks. She feels badly because she too, had a crush on Rob, but never really knew him. As she gets to know the person that he is inside, she realizes that he is caring, sweet, sensitive, and a very talented carpenter. Rob is always there for Lauren whenever she needs a friend, helps her through her social anxiety panic attacks, and makes her feel special. Pretty soon, these two begin to fall madly in love with one another. However, when Rob is offered a huge career opportunity, Lauren realizes that to be with him, would be to hold him back from his dreams. Can Rob have Lauren and his dream job too, and can Lauren overcome her fears and hang-ups in time, or will she lose Rob forever?
I really enjoyed As Long As You Love Me. I loved what a vulnerable and sensitive character Rob was. To the world, he portrayed a series person, who didn't have much emotion. When he started spending time with Lauren, for the first time, he could be himself. He was more carefree, fun, and confident. He was comfortable sharing his feelings with her, and was treated as more than just a piece of meat. He sure was one very sexy carpenter! For me, the sexiest thing about Rob was the fact that he had such a heart of gold. He put everyone before himself, and was such an amazing character. Lauren, put on a facade for her friends and mother. She acted like an outgoing party girl, while deep down her social anxiety was so bad, that she had to get drunk to be in large social settings. She had given herself a huge makeover in high school, but when it came down to it, she was a down-to-earth computer nerd. I was rooting for Lauren and Rob. They were perfect for one another and gave each other what they desperately needed; an unconditional place of acceptance, belonging, and love. It's a beautiful thing when you don't have to put on an act, and a person loves you truly and deeply, for the person that you are. This message was conveyed perfectly in Lauren and Rob's story!
My Rating:
I give, As Long As You Love Me, by Ann Aguirre, 4 Intense Anticipation, Tender, Endless Love Filled Stars! I can't wait to read the final book in the trilogy, The Shape Of My Heart, which is Max (Lauren's former room mate) and Courtney's story!
My Favorite Quotes:
"People made the mistake of thinking he didn't feel much, but it wasn't that way at all. Everything was just hidden like a deep, deep well, and then sealed shut with an iron lid. Wistfully, I wondered what it would be like if he let me in." (eARC, Loc. 715) ~Lauren
"Without replying, he wrapped his arms around me and settled me against his chest. I had never been a big snuggler, but maybe the wrong guys had been holding me." (eARC, Loc. 1299) ~Lauren
Picture Teasers:
About the Author:
Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets.
Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.
Website**Facebook**Twitter**Tumblr**
Goodreads**Newsletter SignUp
Tour Organized By:
Awesome review, Lindy! I loved As Long as You Love Me, too. I thought that Rob's insecurities were so well portrayed, and I really enjoyed the slow build in Lauren's and his relationship :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for The Shape of My Heart :) This series is so good!
I hope you're doing well :) I'm busy with classes, but I do try to stop by my fave blogs every now and then....
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I love to see young love that develops over the years and they are reunited! <3
ReplyDeleteI don't know where I have been, but I did not know she wrote NA. I am excited to try and read one of these! They look great!
ReplyDelete